Foldable device



Aug 27, 1940. H. T. HULscHER 2,212,938

FOLDABLE DEVICE Filed July 29, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 w I 7 I BY ATTORNEY Aug- 27, 1940- H. T. HULscHER 2,212,938

FOLDABLE DEVICE Filed July 29, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY A ORNEY Aug. 27, 1940. H. T. HuLscHER FOLDABLE DEVICE Filed July 29, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG 9 m c ,d w Z M INVENTOR BY @a Ak Aug. 27, 1940.

H. T. HULSCHER FOLDABLE DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 29, 1938 INVENTOR Patented Aug. 27, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT' OFFICE l FOLDABLE DEVICE Harold T. Hulscher, Battle Creek, Mich. Application July 29, 1938, Serial No. 221,889

11 Claims.

invention is the provision of a folding table having legs which fold in pairs, such legs being pivotally fastened with knee brace links to opposite sides of the table top near but spaced from the ends thereof in manner permitting the table top to be turned from horizontal position to substantially vertical position parallel to the legs.

Still further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description which brings out not only the joining of the table legs in pairs, by means of knee brace links, to opposite sides of the table top, but the coupling of the ypairs of legs together by means of a toggle linkage having upper and lower links which, in combination with the knee brace links, holds the legs in substantially parallel position during folding and unfolding of the table in manner permitting the bottom of the legs to continuously contact the floor during such operation and balance and support the' table top at the same time.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the vannexed drawings and the following description setting forth in detail certain means for carrying out the invention, such disclosed means illustrating, however, but several of various ways in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings:

Figure l shows a perspective View of one form of the present invention with some parts removed and othersbroken away.

Figure 2'shows a side view of one form of the present invention as set up, but with a portion of the side rail broken away to show some of the hidden parts of the mechanism.

Figure 3 shows one step in the operation of folding the table.

Figure 4 shows a succeeding step in the operation of folding the table.

Figure 5 shows a back view of the table in completelyk folded position.

Figure 6 is an edge view of the table in folded position with part lof the side rail broken away, and as viewed along the line 5--5 of Figure 5.

Figure 'I shows the mechanism for rotating the locking hook of the table sidewise against the under face of the table top as shown in dotted lines in Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a sectional View of the rotating mechanismV for the locking hoo-k as viewed along the lines 8 8 of Figures 5 and 7.

Figure 9 shows an assembly view of one pair of legs as viewed along the line 9-9 of Figure 6.

Figure 10 shows an end view of one pair of legs as'viewed along the line Ill-IIJ of Figure 9.

Figure 1l shows in `enlarged frontdetail the central portionof the toggle linkage illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure l2 shows a partially sectional view of part of the toggle linkage as viewed along the line I2-I2 of Figure 11.

Figure 13 shows a partially sectioned view of the castor end of one ofthe legs.

Figure 14 shows a partial end view ofthe table as viewed along line I4-I4 of Figure 2.

Figure 15 shows an end view of one of the table legs as viewed along the line I5-I5 of Figure 9.

Figure 16 shows a partially sectioned View of one of the tablelegs as viewed along the line I-IS of Figure 9. l

Figure 17 shows a top view of the toggle linkage of the table as viewed from the top of Figure l.

Figure 18 shows a modied form of the table of the present invention illustrating the use of a snap locking toggle mechanism. y

Figure 19 shows a top view of the back leg of the pair of legs I3 as seen in'Figure 1.

Referring more particularly tothe drawings, the table in preferred construction has' a top frame I (Figure l) formed with side rails 2 and 3 and end rails l and 5. The upper edge of the side rails 2 and 3 is preferably provided with flanges 6 and l', while the end rails 4 and 5 are likew'ne preferably provided with flanges Band S. These flanges act not only to stiffen the top frame of the table, but also are usable for anchoringvthe table top I5 in place. The flanges 6 and 'I also carry bumpers II and I2 which may be made of rubber or other. suitable material. These bumpers contact the side of one pair of legs to hold same in preferred spaced relation to the under face of the table top when same is folded, and yet such bumpers in preferred construction do not extend back to side rails 2 and gether by means of a crossbar I5 which is preferabl;7 in the form of a channel having its open face looking toward the underside of the table. This permits welding of the crossbar I5 to the legs inside of the channel where the weld will not show without looking at it from the underside of the table. The crossbar I5 may, however, be made of a tubular member, rod, or angle, if desired, and the showing in the drawings is to be considered as diagrammatic of the many forms of construction usable for this purpose.

To stiffen the pairs of legs, suitable knee braces I5 are preferably used as shown in Figure 9. In preferred form, these knee braces are of channel construction, with the channel opening downwardly. This permits welding the ends of the knee braces in place with the weld inside of the ends of same where it is concealed from casual observation.

The individual legs of the pairs I3 and I4 may be constructed in various ways without departing from the spirit and obvious scope of the present invention. Olne simple vconstruction involves the` use oi a square tubular head member Il (Figure 10) having an angle member I8 welded to the upper end thereof, and a bottom member I9 `welded to the bottom end thereof. Members I8 and |9 are provided with openings adapted to receive leg 20 which, in preferred construction, has a close sliding fit with the opening through bottom rnember` I9 and passes upward into the opening of angle member I 8 where it is welded or otherwise suitablyl fastened in place.

The angle member |8 has a hookend 2| adapted to engage a suitable'` pin 22 attached to the top frame I of the table. These hook ends 2| and pins 22 cooperate when the table is in the unfolded or set up position shown in Figures 1, 2, and 18 to hold the table legs and table top against separation incase the table top isv lifted upward for any reason whatsoever.

To provide adequate support for the tableY duringthe folding and after the folding is completed, it is preferable to provide the individual legs 29 with an offset 23, as shown in Figure 13. To4 increase the ease of folding the table, the lower end of the legs may be provided with swivel castors 24 of conventional construction, but preferably of the trailing type shown.

The pairs of legs vI3 and I4 are joined to the top frame I by means of knee brace links 25, 26, 2l, and 28. The upper ends of knee brace links 25 and 26 are pivotally mounted on pivot pins 29 and 39. The lower ends of knee brace links 25and 26 are mounted on brackets 3| which are joined to the individual table legs as shown in Figures 9 and 10. Anv enlarged sectionalview of the right-hand table leg of Figure 9 with bracket 3| and knee brace link 25 in place is shown in Figure 16. The connecting of the knee brace links to the brackets 3| is accomplished through the use of suitable pivot pins 32. Theknee brace links 2l and 28 are mounted at their upper ends on pivot pins 33 and 34, while the lower ends of these knee brace links are preferably pivotally mounted on brackets 59 in similar manner to knee brace links 25 and 2B. An enlarged View showing bracket 59 mounted on the back leg of the pair of legs I3 of Figure 1 isA shown in Figure 19.

The movement of the pairs of legs I3 and Il! relative to the table top IU is accomplished through the agency of a suitable toggle linkage 4which will now be described., This toggle linkage consists, in general, of upper link members and lower link members suitably joined at a point approximately under the center of the table by means of suitable short links and pivot members. Referring to Figures 1 and 17, it will be noted that the toggle linkage is formed from bent link members so as to place the central pivots well under the table at a point where they will normally be out of sight. Upper links 35 and 35 are pivotally joined by means of pivots 38 to brackets 3l (Figure 15) which in'turn are attached to the upper ends of the individual legs of the pair of legs I4, as shown in Figures 9 and 10. The right-hand bracket 3l, as shown in Figure l5, is provided with a projecting bumper member 39 adapted to contact the edge of knee brace link 25 (Figure 10) during the table folding operation and hold the pair of legs I4 in vsubstantially upright position during part of the folding and also when the folding is completed. Bracket 3l on the left-hand leg, as shown in Figure 9, is mounted in reverse position to that shown in Figure 15 so that the projecting bumper member 39 will contact the edge of knee brace link 26 in similar manner to that described in connection with the contacting of knee brace link 25. The opposite or free ends of upper links 35 and 36 are mounted on pivot rod 4D. The other pair of upper links 4| and 42 are likewise connected at one end to pivot rod 4l) and at the other end to bracket 43 (Figure 19) by means of pivot members 44. The angle brackets 43 do not extend past the'outer edge of the legs, and hence permit knee brace links 21 and 28 to swing past the side of the pair of legs |3, as is shown in Figure 4.

The lower links 45 and 45 are mounted at their free end on a pivot rod 41 and at the other end on brackets 3| (Figure 16) by means of pivot members 48 as shown in connection with link 45. Lower link 43 is connected to a bracket 3| in similar manner to lower link 45 except that the bracket is inverted, as is shown in Figure 9.

Lower links 49 and 5I] are also mounted at their free end on pivot rod 4'! and at the other end on brackets 59 (Figures 1 and 19) so as to permit the table to fold to the positions shown in Figures 5 and 6. The brackets 59 are inverted to each other the same as brackets 3| shown in Figure 9. The lower links 45, 46, 49, and 5D are preferably provided with offset portions 5| of conventional construction, to provide clearance for the linkage when folded.

The upper links 35, 36, 4|, and 42 are joined to the lower links 45, 46, 49, and 5U by means of short connecting links 52, 53, 54, and 55. All of these short connecting links are mounted at one end on pivot rod 49, as shown in Figure l. The lower end of link 52 is pivotally connected to lower link 45, the lower end of link 53 is pivotally connected to lower link 49, the lower end of link 54 is pivotally connected to lower link 5U, and the lower end of link 55 is pivotally connected to lower link 48.

To properly space the various links pivotally connected to pivot rod 4D in manner avoiding interference at this point during folding, link 52 is separated from upper link 3 5 by means of a space washer 56 (Figure 12). The inner pivot end of upper link 35 is separated from the inner pivot end of upper link 4| by means of space washer 5l, and links 53 and 54 are separated at their pivot end preferably by means of a sleevetype spacer 58. As shown in Figures 5 and 17, upper links 36 and 42 are separated at their inner pivot end by means of a space washer which SDI is the same as space washer 5l shown in Figure 12. Upper link 36 is separated from link 55 by means of a space washer which is the same as space washer 56. The connections of the various links on pivot rod 59 are symmetrical, and henceA to avoid duplication of showing, Figure 12 has been drawn to illustrate in enlarged view only the connections to one end of pivot rod 5.

As shown in Figure 5, the lower pivot rod lll is provided with a spacer 55 between lower links 55 and 55. A sleeve-like spacer 5l is preferably provided on pivot rrod il between lower links 59 and 50. A spacer 52 is likewise placed on pivot rod 41 between the lower links i5 and 59. The various spacers on pivot rods iii and 5l are used to hold the toggle linkage in suitable spaced relation to permit folding to the position shown in Figure 5 and 6. The brackets 3l, 3l, 43, and `59, which are mounted on the individual legs, are also of such a size and location that they facilitate the folding and unfolding of the table without interference between the various parts of the linkage. As shown in the drawings, the various links are pivoted and formed so that they will fold to the position shown in Figures 5 and 6 without interference with each other. brace links and toggle linkage also act together as a unit when the table is folded and unfolded. To permit the individual legs Eil of the pair of legs I3 to fold to the position shown in Figure '5, it is necessary to provide end rail 5 with a notched-out portion 63 at each end. The details of one of these notches are shown in' Figure lll and the general location of the two notches in Figure 5.

' To hold the toggle linkage against folding movement when the table is set up as shown in Figure 2, a suitable latching mechanism is provided. One preferred construction of this mechanism involves the use of an endwise slidable rod 54 having a handle 55 at one end and a latch hook 56 at the other end. This latch hook in preferred construction has an inclined member 5l adapted to engage spacer 5l?, on pivot rod itl when endwise slidable rod 55 is slid to the left as viewed in Figure 2. 'Ihis endwise movement lifts the center portion of the toggle linkage to the position shown in Figure 2 where spacer 55 rests on shoulder 58 which eliminates any tendency for the rod 55 to accidentally slide to the right and hence permit the toggle mechanism to become released and ready `for folding. porting members 55 and lil (Figures 2 and 5) for rod 55 are, in preferred construction., -attached to the underface of table top I0. In order to rotate endwise slidable rod 56 up against the under face of the table top l5 where it will be out of the way when the table to be folded or the like, a sleeve li (Figures '7 and 8) having an opening 'l2 therethrough is mounted on rod 54 between the end of supporting member iifland bracket 'i8 in manner permitting rod 55 to slide therethrough. Rod 55 and openingl'l preferably have a flattened side, or the equivalent, which' will cause sleeve 'll to rotate in unison with rod Bd. A spring 'i3 is connected to sleeve ll and supporting member 59 so as to exert tension adapted to rotate slidable rod B5 to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure when same is slid to the right as viewed in Figure 2 and released. The latch hook 65 is also preferably provided with a flattened end 'lil adapted to grip crossbar l5 of the pair of legs ifi when the table`A has been folded as shown in Figures 5 and 6.. Gripping in this manner holds the table firmly rIhe knee it ywill be out ofthe way.

center portion of the toggle linkage, due to its" in folded position until rod 64 has been slid upward to release the mechanism for unfolding.

In preferred construction all of the short connecting links 52, 53, 55, andl 55 are of the Asame length from center to center of pivots. The upper links 55, 55, 4l, and @l2 are all of the same length from pivot to pivot as viewed on a vertical plane such as is shown in Figure 2. The lower links 45, 55, 59, and 55'are also of the same length from pivot to pivot as viewed in Figure 2. The pair of knee brace links 25 and 25 are both of the saine pivotal length and the pair of knee brace links 2l and 25' are of the Same pivotal length. The individual pairs of knee brace links, however, are not necessarily of the 'i same length, and the Vparticular length used in preferred construction will be such as to permit the table to fold to the position shown in Figure 6. I

With the table in the set up or unfolded posion pivot rod 55. Upon releasing the handle 65,

spring i3 with its connecting mechanism will rotate rod 65 with latch hook 55 and handle 55 up against the under face of the table top l0 where At the same time, the

weight, will drop slightly and release hooks 2| on the upper end of the pair of legs i3' from locking engagement with pins 22.l `By taking hold of the end'rail 5 and lifting up on same, the pair of legs l5 will swing inward on knees brace link1 2l and 28 vin the direction shown by the arrow in Figure 3. the toggle linkage will also aid in this swinging movement of the pair of legs l5 and when same have passed under pivots and at the upper end of knee brace links 2l' and 25then end rail il may be lowered and the pair of legs i3 will move to the right to the position showngin Figure e. Then pressing downward onthe table top it over end rail il, the pair of legs It will swing-il' inwardon knee brace links 25 vand' Zi'while the upper edge of hooks 2l on angle member i8 of the pair of legs l5 will slide along the under faces of flanges 5 and l of the side rails 2 and 3.

Continued movement of the table top in the same direction will carry it to the position shown in Figures 5 and 6. The table may then be locked n in this folded position by moving the latching mechanism so that the flattened end 'Hlof latch hook 55 engages crossher i as shown in Figure 6, and in solid lines in Figure 5. It is to' e noted at this point that throughout the foldof the table, the legs at all times rest on the licor and carry and balance the weight of the table so that there is no danger of 'its tipl` ping over.

The opening of the table is accomplished in the following manner: The latch hook 66 is rst released from locking engagement with crossbar l5. the table top l5 from vertical to horizontal position auf ibi" r., Lamm. oula ure 6) or by lifting out and upward at end rail l. This will swing the pairs of legs I3 and lllA| l` Pressure is then applied to turn=v 7 be either by push-l ing backward and downward at end rail 5 (Fig- The pull of gravity on or mechanically carried past pivots 33 and -34,a5

'end rails '4 may be lowered, thus carrying the pair of legs I3 to the left end of the table. The inclined member 61 of the locking mechanism 'is then brought into contact with sleeve 58 on pivot rod 4U a'nd by pulling endwise on latching Vhandle 65, the toggle mechanism will be ele- Yvated and brought to rest with sleeve 58 on shoulder 68 of latch hook 65, thus locking the table in the unfolded position shown in Figure 2.

When it is desired to have a snap locking toggle mechanism, this may be accomplished in the manner shown in Figure 18. In this case the upper links 35a, 36a, 4m, and 42a are made slightly shorter than the corresponding links shown in Figure 2. The lower links fiict, d8a, and 50a are made slightly longer than the corresponding links of the mechanism shown in Figure 2. With this construction, when the toggle linkage is moved upward toward the position shown in Figure 18, the springing of the linkage as it passes dead center will cause it to snap upward near the end of its travel and hence be self-locking. Under these conditions, if the user in setting up'the table will reach under same and lift the toggle mechanism up until it snaps into place, and also is willing to reach under the table and snap it downward when he .wishes -to fold 'the table, then a separate locking mechanism may be dispensed with, so far as concerns holding the table in set up condition.

'It is usually more convenient, however, to use a latching mechanism similar to that heretofore described with the exception that the hook end is of modified construction. The modied hook end preferably has the usual flattened end 'Ma for holding the table in folded position. It also has an inclined member 61a for contacting sleeve 58 on pivot pin 4D to elevate the toggle mechanism until it snaps into locked position when handle 65 is pulled to the left as viewed in Figure 18. To unlock the mechanism, the hook end of the latching mechanism is provided with a second inclined member '15. The movement of handle 65 to the right forces inclined member 15 into contact with sleeve 58 on pivot member il!) and thus forces the toggle linkage downward until it snaps to unlatched position, whereupon the handle 65 may be still further pushed to the right so that flattened end 'Ma will clear sleeve 58 and permit the hook to be folded up against the under face of the table top where it will be out of the way for subsequent folding steps.

With a 42 inch length table having a snap locking toggle mechanism, as shown in Figure 18, the preferred length for the various links and spacing of certain other parts are as follows: The knee brace links 21a and 28a are S- inches long from center to center of pivots. Knee brace links 25a and 26a are 112%., inches long from center to center of pivots. Upper links 35a, 36a, Ala, and 42a are l'll-T inches long from center line to center line of the pivots at the end of each link as taken on a plane perpendicular to said center lines and lengthwise of the table. Lower links a, 46a, 59a, and 5Go, are 1.7.992-

.inches from center line to center line of the pivots at the end of each link taken on said perpendicular plane. The short connecting links 52a, 53a, 54a, and 55a are 3% inches long from center to center of the pivots of each link. The center line of the pivotof the lower end of each of these short connecting links at the point where it is joined to the lower links is 153g inches from the center line of pivot rod 41a. The center lines of the pivots for the upper and lower links at the leg end thereof are ii-- inches apart. By using links of these lengths and spacings, with suitable brackets and other parts joined thereto as shown, a snap locking toggle mechanism table of the type shown in Figure 18 may be readily constructed.

of, may be used to hold the chairs in place.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of those explained, change being made as regards the mechanisms herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

`I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In a folding device of the character described, the combination of a top member, two pairs of legs, each pair being adapted for Amovement'in unison, a pair of knee brace links for each pair of legs, means for pivotally connecting one end of each of said knee brace links to said top member, means for pivotally connecting the other end of each of said knee brace links to said legs, and a folding toggle linkage havingupper and lower links pivotally joined to both pairs of legs.

2. In a folding device of the character described, the combination of a top member, two pairs of legs, each pair being joined together for movement in unison, a pair of knee brace links for each pair of legs, means for pivotally connecting one end of each of said knee brace links to said top member, means for pivotally connecting the other end of each of said knee brace links to said legs, a folding toggle linkage having upper and lower links pivotally joined to both pairs of legs, anchoring means at each end of said top member, and means on each pair of legs adapted to coact with said anchoring means on the top member to hold said top member and pairs of legs in fixed position only when said folding device is set up in completely unfolded position.

3. In a folding device of the character described, the combination of a top member, two pairs of legs, each pair being joined together for movement in unison, a pair of rigid knee brace links for each pair of legs, means for pivotally connecting one end of each of said knee brace links to said top member, means for pivotally connecting the other end of each of said knee brace links to said legs, a folding toggle linkage having upper and lower links pivotally joined to both pairs of legs, anchoring means at each end of said top member, means on each pair of legs adapted to coact with said anchoring means on the top member to hold said top member and pairs of legs in xed position only when said folding device is set up in completely unfolded position, and means for stabilizing the folding device when unfolded, said stabilizing means including a holding member for locking said toggle linkage in place when said folding device is in completely unfolded position.

4. In a folding table adapted to have its top swung from horizontal to vertical position while continuously supported and balanced on its legs which remain standing substantially upright and automatically approach each other in pairs during such movement of the top, an upper and lower link containing toggle mechanism which pivotally joins said pairs of legs together, and holds same substantially upright while they move together in pairs as said table top is moved from horizontal to vertical position, each of said upper and lower links having a fixed location pivot on said legs, and pair of said legs having both upper and lower links, all of said upper and lower links being pivotally joined intermediate of said pairs of legs for folding and toggle action.

5. In a folding table adapted to haveitstop swung from horizontal to vertical position while continuously supported and balanced on its legs which remain standing substantially upright and automatically approach each other in pairs during such movement of the top, the combination which comprises rigid knee bracelinks for pivotally connecting said pairs of legs to said top, and a toggle mechanism pivotally joined to said pairs of legs so as to hold same substantialvly upright and move same together in pairs as said table top is moved from horizontal to vertical position, said toggle mechanism comprising upper and lower links, each link being connected at one end to one pair of said legs, and

each of said upper and lower links being pivotally connected together at theirY other end to permit toggle action.

6. In a folding table adapted to have its top swung from horizontal to vertical position While continuously supported and balanced on its legsv per link members and a pair of lower link members pivotally connected to one pair of said legs', a pair of upper link members and a pair of lower link members pivotally connected to a different pair of said legs, the free ends of both pairs of upper link members being pivotally connectedv with a common center line, the free ends of both pairs of lower link members being pivotally connected with a common center line, said center lines being parallel'to each other, and four short connecting link members, the upper end of each being `pivotally mounted with a common center line which `coincides with that of the upper link members, the lower ends of said short connecting link members being pivotally connected to said lower link members at a point adjacent but substantially spaced from the pivotal common center line of said lower link members, there being but one of said short connecting link members Y connected to each lower link member.-

7. A folding table adapted to be continuously supported and balanced on its legs during folding and unfolding, which comprises a table top assembly, a pair of table legs at each end of said table top assembly, a rigid knee brace link for each leg, each of said knee brace links being pivotally joined to the table top assembly and also pivotally joined to a leg intermediate of the ends of the latter, means at each end of the table top assembly for holding the legs in xed relative position and attached to the table top assembly only when the table is completely unfolded, and a toggle linkage comprising upper and lower links for each pair of legs, said upper and lower links being pivotally connected together at one end for toggle action, and pivotally connected at the other end to said legs and adapted to move the latter in pairs relative to each other with the legs remaining in substantially upright position as the tabletop assembly is moved relative to said legs and pivots on saidkneevbrace links. I y

8. A folding table adapted to be continuously `supported and balanced on its legs during foldof its ends and also pivotally joined to a leglat apoint near but substantially spaced from the upper end thereof, the knee brace links connected to a pair of legs are of uniform length, are connected to each leg ofthe pair the same distance from its upper yend and also to the table top assembly a uniform distance from the end thereof adjacent said pair of legs, means for holding the table top assembly and legsy in fixed sf upper and lower links for toggle action, the` other end of each of said upper and lower links beingY pivotally connected to said legs and adapted to move the latter in pairs relative to each other with the legs remaining vin substan-s tially upright position'as the table top assembly `folding and unfolding, which comprises `ata'ble top assembly, a pair of table legs at :each end of said table top assembly, 'a knee rbrace link for each leg, each of said knee brace links being pivotally joined to the table `top assembly in-; termediate of its ends and also pivotally joined to a leg at a point near but substantially spaced from the upper end thereof, the knee brace links connected to a pair of legs are of uniform length, are connected to; each leg of the pair?,

the same distance from its upper end and also Vto thetable top assembly auniform distance from the end thereof adjacent said pair of legs, means for holding the table top assembly` and legs in xed position when the table is com-1K,

pletely unfolded, part of said means being` mounted on the upper end of the legs and kpart on the table top assembly, and a toggle 'linkage connected to said legs and adapted to move said legs in pairs relative to each other in sub-1,

. stantially upright position while the table `top assembly is moved relative to said legsasthey pivot on said kneebrace links, said toggle mechanism comprising a Apair of upper link membersand a pair of lower link members pivotally con,i nected to one pair of said legs, a pair of upperl link members and a pair of lower link members pivotally connected to a different pair of said legs, the free ends of both pairs of upper link members being pivotally connected with a' com-v mon center line, the free ends of both pairs of lower link members being pivotally connected with a common center line, said center lines being parallel to each other, and four short connecting link members, the upper end of each being pivotally mounted with a common center line which coincides with that of the upper link members, the lower ends of said short connecting link members being pivotally connected to said lower link members at a point adjacent but substantially spaced from the pivotal common center line of said lower link members, there being but one of said short connecting link members connected to each lower link member.

10. A folding table adapted to be continuously supported and balanced on its legs during folding and unfolding, which comprises a table top assembly, a pair of table legs at each end of said table top assembly, a knee brace link for each leg, each of said knee brace links being pivotally joined to the table top assembly intermediate of its ends and also pivotally joined to a leg at a point near but substantially spaced from the upper end thereof, the knee brace links connected to a pair of legs are of uniform length, are connected to each leg of the pair the same distance from its upper end and also to the table top assembly a uniform distance from the end thereof adjacent said pair of legs, a projecting bumper for at least one knee brace link, said bumper being mounted on only one pair of said legs, means for holding the table top assembly and legs in Xed position when the table is completely unfolded, part of said means being mounted on the upper end of the legs and part on the table top assembly, a toggle linkage connected to said legs and adapted to move said legs in pairs relative to each other in substantially upright position while the table top assembly is moved relative to said legs as they pivot on said knee brace links, said toggle mechanism comprising a pair of upper link members and a pair of lower link members pivotally connected to one pair of said legs, a pair of upper link members and a pair of lower link members pivotally connected to a different pair of said legs, the free ends of both pairs of upper link members being pivotally connected with a common center line, the free ends of both pairs of lower link members being pivotally connected with a common center line, said center lines being parallel to each other, and four short connecting link members, the upper end of each being pivotally mounted with a common center line which coincides with that of the upper link members, the lower ends of said short connecting link members being pivotally connected to said lower link members at a point adjacent but substantially spaced from the pivotal common center line of said lower link members, there being but one of said short connecting link members connected to 'each lower link member, and means including an endwise movable member with suitable supports and having an inclined portion adapted to engage the toggle linkage where the links join each other so as to move same and releasably lock the toggle linkage in manner holding the table top assembly and legs in fixed relation when the table is completely unfolded.

11. A folding table adapted to be continuousf ly supported and balanced on its legs during folding and unfolding, which comprises a table top assembly, a pair of table legs at each end of said table top assembly, a rigid knee brace link for each leg, each of said knee brace links being pivotally joined to the table top assembly intermediate of its ends and also'pivotally joined to a leg at a point near but substantially spaced from the upper end thereof, the knee brace links connected to a pair of legs are of uniform length, are connected to each leg of the pair the same distance from its upper end and also to the table topv assembly a uniform distance from the end thereof adjacent said pair of legs, projecting bumpers for' 15 one pair of knee brace links, said bumpers being mounted only on one pair of legs and adjacent the upper end thereof, means for holding the table top assembly and legs in fixed position when the table is completely unfolded, part of said means being mounted on the upper end of the legs and part on the table top assembly, a

toggle linkage connected to said legs and adapted to move said legs in pairs relative to each other in substantially upright position while the table top assembly is moved relative to said legs as they pivot on said knee brace links, said toggle mechanism comprising a pair of upper link members and a pair of lower link members pivotally connected to one pair of said legs, a pair of upper link members and a pair of lower link members pivotally connected to a different pair of said legs, the free ends of both pairs of upper link members being pivotally connected with a common center line, the free ends of both pairs of lower link -members being pivotally connected with a common center line, said center lines being parallel to each other, and four short connecting link members, the upper end of each being pivotally mounted with a common center line which coini. cides with that of the upper link members, the lower ends of said short connecting link membersy being pivotally connected to said lower link, memv bers at a point adjacent but substantially spaced toggle linkage where the links join each other so as to move same and releasably lock the toggle linkage in manner 'holding the table top assembly and legs in iiXed relation when the table is completely unfolded, means for releasably locking the whole table assembly when in folded po- 60 sition, the end of the table top assembly, which becomes the lowermost end when the table is folded, being constructed so as to not interfere with the complete folding of the table, and castermounted table legs which are ared at the bottom to provide adequate support for the table during folding and when completely folded.

HAROLD T. HULSCHER. 

